Ambrose Hill

HILL, Ambrose Powell, soldier, born in Culpeper county, Virginia, 9 November, 1825; died near Petersburg, Virginia, 2 April, 1865. His father, Major Thomas Hill, was a politician and merchant for many years. The son was graduated at the United States military academy in 1847, and, entering the 1st artillery, was made a 2d lieutenant, 22 August, 1847. He served in Mexico during the war, and was engaged in Florida against the Seminoles in 1849-'50. On 4 September, 1851, he was promoted to 1st lieutenant of the 1st artillery, and afterward to a captaincy. In November, 1855, he was made an assistant on the coast survey, and was stationed in Washington until 1 March, 1861, when he resigned. When Virginia seceded he was appointed colonel of the 13th regiment of Virginia volunteers, and was ordered to Harper's Ferry. At the first battle of Bull Run he arrived with his regiment among those of General Johnston's command, in time to share in the last of the fight. He was promoted to brigadier-general, and fought at the battle of Williamsburg in May, 1862, with such spirit and determination that he was made a major-general. 

On 25 June, 1862, he was one of the council of war held in Richmond, at which were present Generals Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, D. H. Hill, and others. In the seven days' battles around Richmond he opened the series of engagements by driving McClellan's forces from Meadow bridge, thus clearing a way for Longstreet and D. H. Hill to advance. He occupied the centre of Lee's army in the attacks against McClellan, and gained a reputation for bravery and skill in the handling of his troops. He was active in the succeeding campaign against General Pope, and at the second battle of Bull Run, 29 and 30 July, 1862. He received the surrender of the National troops at Harper's Ferry on 17 September, 1862, and, making a forced march, arrived at Antietam in time to enable General Lee to maintain his ground. At the battle of Fredericksburg, 13 December, 1862, his division formed the right of Jackson's corps; at Chancellorsville, 5 and 6 May, 1863, it formed the centre, and participated in the flank movement that crushed Hooker's right. In the assault he was severely wounded, and had to retire from the field. 

For his gallantry in this battle he was promoted, 20 May, 1863, to lieutenant-general, and given command of one of the three grand corps into which the army was divided. He led his corps at Gettysburg, and in the affair at Bristow Station, October, 1863, while in command of two brigades, was repelled with severe loss. On 22 June, 1864, his corps, with Long-street's, repelled the attack on the Weldon railroad. A few weeks before the final attack on the Southside railroad and the defenses of Petersburg, General Hill was taken ill and granted leave of absence, but he returned before his leave expired, 31 March. On Sunday morning, 2 April, 1865, in the struggle for the possession of the works in front of Petersburg, he attempted, contrary to the wishes of General Lee, to reach Heth's division, and was shot from his horse by stragglers from the National army. By General Lee's orders a charge was made, and his body recovered and buried in Chesterfield county. Afterward it was removed to Hollywood cemetery, Richmond, Virginia General Hill married a sister of General John Morgan, the Confederate cavalry leader, and left two daughters.